La Liga | Gameweek 13

Nov 9, 2024 at 1pm UK

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid vs Osasuna

Match preview

Barely five months have passed since Real Madrid won the Champions League to add to their La Liga title for the 2023-24 season, but the demands at the Bernabeu have put Carlo Ancelotti's position as head coach in doubt.

Every defeat is damaging for Los Blancos, but the capital giants were thrashed 4-0 at home by Barcelona in La Liga on 26 October, before losing 3-1 at the Bernabeu to Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Los Blancos are now 18th in the Champions League standings but will still be confident of progressing, although the loss to Barcelona was certainly more damaging in terms of confidence and position in La Liga.

Real Madrid were due to face Valencia in the league last weekend, but the game was postponed due to flooding in Spain, and Barcelona's win over Espanyol allowed the Catalans to open up a nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Simply put, Real Madrid must win this weekend, as another poor result ahead of the November international break would send them into full-blown crisis mode, and it could end their La Liga title chances even at this stage if Barcelona continue their excellent form with a win over Real Sociedad.

Kylian Mbappe is believed to be unhappy with his role in the middle of the park, with the 25-year-old yet to find his best form in a Real Madrid shirt, but Ancelotti will be hoping the Frenchman can hit top gear this weekend.

Osasuna have not beaten Real Madrid in any competition since January 2011, while they have not beaten the capital giants at the Bernabeu in La Liga since a famous 3-0 win in April 2004.

However, the Pamplona side have drawn two of their last three visits to the Bernabeu and will be in excellent form having won three in a row, including two in La Liga.

Vicente Moreno's side have won their last two league games against Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid without conceding a goal, while they progressed in the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 win over Chiclana on Tuesday night.

With six wins, three draws and three defeats from their 12 league games this term, Osasuna are fifth in La Liga, just three points behind Real Madrid with a game in hand.

Los Rojillos are also the only team to have beaten Barcelona in the league this season, and will be looking for a famous result at the Bernabeu against a Real Madrid side that has struggled to find its rhythm in the early months of the 2024-25 campaign.

Recent Performance

Real Madrid La Liga form:WWDWWL

Real Madrid form (all competitions):LWWWLL

Osasuna La Liga form:DWDLW

Osasuna form (all competitions):WDLWWW

Team News

Real Madrid have been dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of this clash, with Aurelien Tchouameni likely to be sidelined for the next month with the ankle injury he suffered against Milan on Tuesday night.

Tchouameni joins Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba on the sidelines for the Spanish champions.

Federico Valverde was forced off against Milan with a back problem, but the Uruguay international is expected to be available for selection and should start in central midfield.

Rodrygo is also likely to return to the side after coming off the bench last time out, while Eduardo Camavinga should be the player to benefit from Tchouameni's absence this weekend.

As for Osasuna, head coach Moreno could name the same side that kicked off against Real Valladolid, with Ante Budimir likely to continue in midfield.

Budimir netted 17 times in La Liga last season and has six goals to his name for the 2024-25 campaign, and the experienced striker will be joined in the final third by Bryan Zaragoza and Ruben Pena.

Raul Garcia scored a brace against Chiclana in the Copa del Rey last time out, but that is unlikely to earn him a place in the side.

Osasuna currently have a fully-fit squad, with no new injuries reported this week, so head coach Moreno will be able to name his preferred XI for what promises to be an intriguing encounter.

Possible starting lineups

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Areso, Catena, Boyomo, Cruz; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Pena, Budimir, Zaragoza